Chapter 14

Translator: Diva

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: In This Life, It's the Oscar, Not My Husband

Kang Ye-ji glanced at Kim Byung-ho with a momentarily flustered look on her face, and he winked at her, his expression urging her to just give some offhand answer.

"Ah... um... just, this kind of popularity is too much of a hassle? You've gotten so much love already, right? Because you're pretty, lovable, and smart. Of course, you're doing part-time gigs right now... but you'll blow up from here on out."

Kang Ye-ji started off hesitant, but her voice gained strength by the end.

It was her own story she was telling, after all.

'I'm pretty, lovable, and smart.'

She wasn't just pretty—she was a good actress, too. And above all, she'd found a company that would build her up as their star.

She even felt confident she wouldn't just be pushed around by the CEO, Kim Byung-ho.

'Thinking about it like this, this spot is perfect for me.'

That was when Kang Ye-ji had that thought.

"Really? That's... pretty boring."

His fingers, as he spoke, were decked out with flashy rings that glittered and sparkled.

At Min Se-ui's words, Kim Byung-ho, Kang Ye-ji, and the manager all froze.

"Manager-nim."

"Yes? Yes..."

"I've decided on the casting."

Min Se-ui looked straight at the manager as he spoke.

"Yes. Who..."

"That girl from before. I said I was going with her, but you insisted on seeing one more, so here we are—"

Min Se-ui scanned Kang Ye-ji up and down.

"Not... impressive."

That single word twisted Kang Ye-ji's face.

"Um..."

The moment Kang Ye-ji tried to protest—

Kim Byung-ho quietly signaled her to stay silent and spoke to Min Se-ui.

"Come on, Director-nim. Our Ye-ji's pretty good."

"Yes, exactly. And..."

The manager seemed reluctant to say this much but quietly approached Min Se-ui.

"We like Kang Ye-ji's facial features. You're talking about Ha Eun-rae from last time, right?"

"Yeah."

Min Se-ui grinned.

His smile was so innocently childlike that the manager was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Her look is a bit too standout, and it's hard for us to get approval on that. You know this, but the MV's leads are Million X, after all. Our boys need to shine more."

"Oh... really?"

Min Se-ui replied indifferently.

It was nonsense, of course.

No matter how unique a rookie actress's face was, Million X wouldn't be overshadowed by some newbie.

Plus, if the rookie actress was talented, it would only make the acting-challenged Million X stand out even more.

'Pairing amateurs together would just backfire.'

Even as he thought that, Min Se-ui knew why the manager was pushing so hard.

'They can just swap out the MV director if they want.'

No matter how hot Min Se-ui was right now as an MV director, Million X could snag someone on his level—or better.

That was why it was obvious the manager was shoving Kang Ye-ji forward.

The manager's face had hardened the moment he'd announced Ha Eun-rae as his pick.

"Ah, I see. Then maybe we should hear from the parties involved?"

"Pardon? What do you..."

But no one knew the dirty underbelly of this industry better than Min Se-ui.

Standing out with his unique style in places like this wasn't just about talent.

Right on cue, the practice room door opened, and Million X's members filed in.

"Director-nim~ That scarf you got us last time is so pretty."

Han Yu-yang, the group's leader, grinned as he handed Min Se-ui a coffee—a sweet macchiato.

Min Se-ui smiled back.

"Ah, as expected, Yu-yang knows my tastes best. How was that champagne I gave you before, Rowen?"

"It was amazing."

"Good to hear. Oh, by the way..."

Min Se-ui nodded toward the manager.

"Our manager-nim doesn't like the actress I picked?"

"Huh? That actress you showed us last time? She was great."

Rowen, the rapper, furrowed his brow.

The other members nodded in agreement.

"We want to work with her, so why not, Manager-nim?"

The moment Baek Tae-ho—the visual member prettier than most women and ambassador for countless brands—spoke up...

The manager squeezed his eyes shut and stayed silent.

Min Se-ui watched him and took a quick sip of the macchiato.

It was sweet.

The perks of having allies worth hundreds of billions.

- Director Min Se-ui says shooting next Wednesday—does that work?

The moment I heard Executive Director Jang's words, I clenched my fist tight.

In my past life, I'd never worked on a Min Se-ui project. But in this one, I would.

I hadn't changed much yet, but just this made it feel like this life was already totally different.

It was the third feel-good buttonhole.

- Do...esn't it? Did you sign with another agency?

When I hesitated, Executive Director Jang asked tentatively.

"Pardon? No! Not at all! I was just... so thrilled..."

At my response, Executive Director Jang let out a relieved sigh.

- I thought our CEO was playing hard to get and we'd lose a great actress.

"A great actress?"

I hadn't shown that much yet to be called great...

- Of course. Even if our CEO acts cool about it, he's been dying for Ha Eun-rae. So we're offering killer terms. I'm telling you this on purpose—I'm a fan.

...!

Wouldn't a director-level exec normally keep that quiet?

Telling me the CEO wants me puts them at a disadvantage in negotiations.

- Don't cave. Got it?

She sounded worried I'd agree to a bad deal.

'Rookies are so desperate they burrow underground and sign slave contracts.'

That was how I knew why Naru Stage was such a great company.

It wasn't just one CEO's vision—it was genuine care for their actors.

That's what had gotten them there.

'I chose Naru right.'

And at a place like this, I wondered if they'd accept the 'terms' I'd propose.

"Thank you, Director-nim. Um... about the terms..."

The contract terms were more generous than I'd expected.

50:50.

Was business even possible like this for a total newbie?

Of course, CEO Heo had his reasons.

"We don't have the bandwidth for acting lessons or anything. Company cars only for schedules. But we're confident you'll land auditions, so no worries."

His explanation made sense, but it also clicked why Naru Stage struggled early on.

What company lays all their cards on the table from the start?

With rookies, you bluff a bit, say not everyone gets this, negotiate the terms.

Even so, Eun-rae felt satisfied with her choice.

You could tell just from CEO Heo's office.

Movie posters and actor headshots everywhere.

CEO Heo was someone who truly loved actors and films.

That's why he'd started the company—with that passion.

'With someone like him, at least the nightmare from my past life won't happen.'

Eun-rae thought that and said to CEO Heo,

"4:6."

"...Pardon?"

CEO Heo's brow furrowed.

"You wouldn't be asking for the 6...?"

No matter how small our agency was, a rookie demanding that much?

Without a single solid credit?

Of course, her acting was decent.

Her face... was pretty good.

Her styling... was on point.

Still!

Just as CEO Heo was about to snap—

Eun-rae continued.

"No. I'll take 4."